Withdrawn
December 8 2011
Picture: BG
This rather alluring canalside scene has been withdrawn from Christie's South Kensington Old Master sale. It was called 'Follower of Saenredam' and estimated at £3-5,000. The picture, which shone out at me at the viewing when I saw it, is oil on panel, 14 x 20 inches, and signed 'Ao.1634/P.Sanredam f'. It's not my area of expertise, so I don't know if it is 'right' or not, but the signature looked genuine to me. Perhaps the astonishing price made the last time a lowly estimated Saenredam was sold caused the auction house to have last-minute doubts. Or perhaps it was the sight of the world's old master dealers queueing up to take a closer look...
